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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta can be on your table tonight! This is a great recipe for pulling together an easy meal on the fly, and has great flavor. Get dinner on the table FAST with some handy shortcuts!
Busy weeknights are a total crunch for us, regardless of what’s going on. I constantly struggle with what to feed my family on any given day that everyone will eat, and I can get on the dinner table FAST.
Cheesy pasta of any kind is always going to be a hit with my entire family (check out my Skillet Mac and Cheese for another easy pasta recipe).
A creamy cheese sauce with added ranch flavor, plus crispy bacon, this delicious pasta dish also packs a protein punch with the addition of chicken, this will be your family’s new favorite!
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is an easy dinner recipe to throw together quickly. It uses a few shortcuts (the good kind!), but the flavor is incredible.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I am not above getting a little help. I will sometimes grab a rotisserie chicken, or even pre cooked and shredded chicken from the deli to complete a meal more quickly and easily.
Are you making this for dinner tonight?
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy – this dinner is cooked in one pot! The best part is that it’s done really fast, too!
- Simple ingredients – everything to make this recipe can be found at your local grocery store.
If you’re into easy pasta recipes, try this delicious King Ranch Chicken Casserole or this lightened Chili Mac & Cheese.
What to serve with pasta
For a more complete meal, add a green salad, like my Arugula Salad and some Garlic Knots or Garlic Bread.
Ingredient Notes
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Bacon. Cook this ahead, or grab it precooked bacon from the grocery store. I use a thick cut fresh bacon, and cook until crispy and drain on paper towels. Try turkey bacon, or bacon bits. The point is for this to be super easy.
- Chicken. I use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal. If you don’t have chicken hanging around, you can poach chicken breasts in a little broth until cooked, then dice.
- Chicken Stock. Make your own chicken stock, or grab a carton.
- Dry Pasta. Any shape will do, although I find short pasta to be better. I wouldn’t use cooked pasta, since the flavor is achieved by cooking the pasta in the stock and ranch mixture.
- Ranch seasoning. This is the dry ranch dressing mix that you find in either a jar or an envelope at the grocery store. You can make ranch seasoning mix yourself, if you like! Check out this recipe from Culinary Hill.
You could use ranch dressing in a pinch if that is what you have. You might want to add a little extra to get the full ranch flavor. Maybe a little onion powder and garlic powder to boost it fully. - Heavy cream. It’s only a little bit, but if you want to, you can use half and half or regular or skim milk instead. You can also use sour cream if that’s what you have.
- Cream cheese. Use a low fat one if you prefer.
- Cheddar Cheese. I used pre shredded sharp cheddar cheese in this case, but pick your favorite or what you have on hand (Monterey Jack cheese, or medium cheddar work well).
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Heat the stock over medium heat in a large skillet or dutch oven. Whisk in the ranch seasoning and cream, then add the pasta.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low heat and cook until most of the stock has absorbed (and the pasta is al dente aka tender, but still has a bite to it).
Add the cream cheese, cooked chicken, bacon, and cheddar to pan.
Remove from heat. Stir until cheese has melted and the sauce is thickened. Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Use pre cooked bacon, pre cooked chicken and pre shredded cheese to make this SUPER fast.
Use macaroni, rotini, farfalle or penne pasta – any short pasta you have at home.
Fresh parsley or sliced green onions make a great garnish, but are totally optional.
What to do with leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until it is piping hot!
More easy recipes:
- Chili Mac with Turkey. We’re bringing childhood back! Lightened-up with turkey vs beef, and made in one pan – this one is a family favorite!
- Skillet Mac & Cheese. Comfort food at its finest, this skillet mac & cheese is so easy! Just the skillet and a pasta pot, the and a quick broil, and this is ready FAST!
- Florentine Chicken Lasagna Rolls Spinach, garlic, and cheese are all winners for this weeknight dinner! Delicious homemade Alfredo sauce is the key to these!
- Ham Tetrazzini. A super-fast weeknight dinner, this Ham Tetrazzini is a spin on the traditional version and is sure to please the whole family.
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
Find me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup bacon (cooked, crumbled)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 8 oz dry pasta (choose your favorite shape!)
- 1 Tbs ranch seasoning
- 1/3 cup heavy cream (can use half and half or milk)
- 1 Tbs cream cheese (softened)
- 8 oz cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
Get Prepped
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet until until crispy, remove from pan and crumble. Set aside
Make the sauce
- Heat the stock in a large skillet or dutch oven. Whisk in the ranch seasoning and cream, then add the pasta.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until most of the stock has absorbed (and the pasta is tender).
Add the good stuff
- Add the cream cheese, cooked chicken, bacon, and cheddar to pan.
- Stir until cheese has melted and the sauce is thickened.
- Remove from heat.
- Devour.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This recipe was originally published in May of 2016. It was republished with updated photos in May of 2021.
LaDayne says
Heaven in a pot!
Loreto Nardelli says
I love cheesy pasta. I have shopped at Safeway for many years. They always have a good selection. Great job on the pasta, and everything tastes better with bacon!😋
Jessica Knott says
I keep a bottle of the dry ranch seasoning on hand in the pantry at all times. I love to add it to recipes to add flavor and this one is too good to be true with cream, bacon, ranch and pasta! Next weeks dinner for the family!
Jenny says
That is an incredible recipe. I am all for one-pot meals and your method and ingredients are my favorites. Super easy and fast, had dinner ready asap and all the family loved it and had seconds. Thanks so much!!
Erin says
They have precooked and pre-shredded chicken?! How cool. I didn’t know that. I’ll have to look for it next time!
EA Stewart says
So fun getting new ideas for what to make with rotisserie chicken. My family loves this recipe. And, I love how easy it is to make!
Gourmet Vegetarians says
Might have to try this recipe using a vege sub for chicken- sounds delicious!
Amy Liu Dong says
To be honest, this dish makes my mouthwatering. It looks really delicious! I will definitely making this for my family, thanks for sharing!
Paula Montenegro says
I LOVE recipes with rotisserie chicken! It’s such a lifesaver and has amazing flavor. OMG, this pasta is definitely going to be on my table tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Ashley says
My mouth is watering just looking at this. I definitely want to add this to my dinner menu!
Nicole says
Thank you! I definitely will be making this. I need one pot meals like this in my life.